Thirty Not Sixty: Caribbean Isles to Village of Peace

"Culture is Power" — H.E. Ben Ammi Ben Israel

This reflection is rooted in the Village of Peace Dimona community social model.

Thirty years ago, in 1995, still resonating with the spirit of Bristol’s Festival of the Seas, I unknowingly embarked on a journey that would redefine my life. It was a simple curiosity that set me on this path: What exactly was the Holy Jerusalem Writers' Conference, and who were the minds that brought it to life? Held each year in Dimona, Israel, this literary and scholarly gathering is organised by the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem. Since its founding in 1980 with the theme “Seizing the Power to Define,” the multi-day conference has explored truth-literate and Hebraic perspectives on biblical texts, history, and issues affecting the African diaspora.

Curiosity That Changed Everything

That initial question led me to search more deeply. My early life had been shaped by a strong Seventh Day Adventist upbringing rooted in my Trinidadian childhood. Church was not just religion; it was rhythm, structure, and community. After leaving the church in the late 1980s, I immersed myself in African and Caribbean cultural life in Britain. I attended lectures, festivals, Kwanzaa celebrations, and commemorations of Marcus Garvey. These experiences were affirming and enriching, yet something essential was missing. I felt connected, but not fully anchored.

Unlike many in African-centred intellectual spaces, I did not reject biblical teachings. My foundation, shaped by my father’s storytelling and my mother’s quiet wisdom from Proverbs, had prepared me differently. My father, a formidable patriarch, filled our home with folklore and scripture. My mother grounded us in moral insight and lived examples. These early influences allowed me to embrace Hebraic teachings without conflict. Instead, they formed a bridge between my African consciousness and spiritual identity.

The Turning Point

• 1995: That inner search intensified after attending the Education of the Black Child Conference in Manchester. It was there that I first encountered two Hebrew brothers from Dimona, whose presence stirred something deeper within me.

• 1996: In Bristol, I met Prince Dr. S. B. Yehuda, a respected figure in the Dimona community. He played a crucial role in establishing and sustaining the New World Passover celebration in the Village of Peace and the Holy Jerusalem Writers Conference.

That meeting became a turning point. My journey as a psychiatric nurse, with degrees in psychology and sociology, intertwined with my dedication to African community mental health. In 1996, receiving the Original African Heritage Study Bible was both an affirmation and an invitation, aligning my professional path with my personal exploration.

Transformation

• 1997: My full transformation came in 1997 when I journeyed to Jerusalem and entered the Village of Peace in Dimona for my first New World Passover. That experience reshaped everything. It was not just a celebration; it was a complete lifestyle immersion. The unity of community living, plant-based nutrition, disciplined wellness, and spiritual clarity lifted me from a path that had been slipping toward imbalance.

"Your Culture is Your Immune System." — Marimba Ani

Thirty Not Sixty

Thirty years on, the impact is still deeply felt. My dedication to a sacred community lifestyle, embracing whole foods, fitness, and positive living, continues to support my health and wellbeing. People are often shocked when they find out my age, usually guessing decades younger. But for me, it’s never been about appearances. It’s about alignment and renewal. It is a reminder of a journey that began in uncertainty and led to clarity. In the Village of Peace, it's understood that:

["Community begins with conscious individuals."](/community)

Thirty not sixty is my life reclaimed, redefined, and still evolving. If you feel that inner pull towards a life of purpose, community, and wellness, we invite you to explore the Village of Peace. Your own transformation may be just a step away.